Adjustable weaving loom

ABSTRACT

An adjustable weaving frame has identical side elements each comprising an elongate portion with upward pins and a U-shaped clamp molded integral with the elongate portion. In use, the clamp receives the elongate portion of the adjacent side element. Means are provided to releaseably hold adjacent side elements in the selected location.

United States Patent [191 Cooper Nov.6,1973

1 1 ADJUSTABLE WEAVING LOOM [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Scovill Manufacturing Company,

Waterbury, Conn.

22 Filed: Mar. 6, 1972 21 Appl. N0.: 232,051

Joseph Cooper, Westport, Conn.

52 us. Cl. 2.8/15 [51] Int. Cl D03d 29/00 [58] Field of Search 28/15; 139/34 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,997,539 4/1935 Bechhofer 28/15 2,292,356 8/1942 Belanger 28/15 X 2,632,938 3/1953 Kopf 28/15 3,220,439 11/1965 Davis 3,294,124 12/1966 Berger 139/34 Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt Att0rneyDallett Hoopes 57 ABSTRACT An adjustable weaving frame has identical side elements each comprising an elongate portion with upward pins and a U-shaped clamp molded integral with the elongate portion. In use, the clamp receives the elongate portion of the adjacent side element. Means are provided to releaseably hold adjacent side elements in the selected location.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE WEAVING LOOM This invention relates to an adjustable weaving frame. More specifically, this invention relates to a frame comprising a plurality of similar side elements, each of the side elements including a clamp to hold in a selected position the adjacent side element.

Inthe past, simple weaving frames have been provided having fixed sides with the frame of a fixed shape, usually square. A sample is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,601,715. Pins have extended up from the side elements and the weaver, in using the frame, threads the yarn through the pattern of the laid warp and weft and around pins on the side elements. The rigidity of shape and size of the prior frames has limited the flexibility of fabric which has been produceable in prior devices. The need for adjustable shapes and sizes has been eagerly awaited.

The present invention has for an object the provision of an adjustable weaving frame where side elements are similar or identical and include simple means for ad-v justing the shape of the frame, and means for holding it in that shape.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from a reading of the following specification, including the drawings, all of which disclose a non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a broken perspective view of a frame embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a reduced fragmentary top plan view of a corner of the frame;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the means for holding the side elements in position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevation taken from the plane of the line 44 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken from the plane of the line 55 of FIG. 1.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, an apparatus embodying the invention is generally designated in FIG. 1. It includes a plurality of identical side elements 12 of molded plastic.

Each of the side elements 12 comprise an elongate member 14 having an outwardly extending flange 16 running along adjacent the lower end thereof. Upwardly extending pins 18 extend up from the top of the elongate member 14 and are slightly tapered and inclined outward away from the center of the frame. The elongate member may be undercut in width adjacent the bottom thereof as shown at 20 to provide a downwardly facing shoulder 22.

The means for holding adjacent side elements together in a selected relationship comprise at the end of each side element 12, an upwardly open, generally U- shaped, clamp 24. As shown in FIG. 5, the clamp is formed with a ledge 26 and a rib 28 on opposite sidewalls respectively.

In use, the elongate member of one of the side elements is longitudinally received into the opening of the U-shaped clamp 24 with the top of the flange 16 fitting snugly under the rib 28, and the shoulder 22 resting on the ledge 26. As shown further in FIG. 5, disposed along the side of the elongate member bearing the flange 16 is a row of mounds or bumps 30 spaced in prescribed relation to the pins 18. indicia may also be provided, as shown.

In the embodiment disclosed, an inwardly extending knuckle 32 is formed on the sidewall of the U-shaped clamp '24 which carries the rib 28. This knuckle 32 resiliently engages between adjacent mounds 30 to hold adjacent side elements 12 in the selected relationship.

Thus, in operation, prior to any weaving, the size and shape of the frame is selected in accordance with the fabric product desired. Adjacent side elements are moved relatively in the intermediate clamp and are held precisely in place by the engagement of the knuckle 32 with the adjacent series of mounds 30. To assure rectangular shape, the knuckles on opposite side elements are placed adjacent the same indicia on the contiguous elongate member. For a square shape, all knuckles engage mounds having the same indicia. Weaving is commenced and at the conclusion of the weaving, the frame may be reduced slightly in size by moving each clamp inwardly one mound or so, and the product may be slipped off the pins 18.

There is thus provided an adjustable weaving frame which is simple to make, sturdy in construction, and easy to use.

While the invention has been shown in but one em- 7 bodiment, the scope of the invention may be described in the following claim language:

I claim:

1. An adjustable rectangular weaving frame comprising a plurality of identical side members molded of a resilient plastic, each comprising an elongate element and a channel-shaped clamp having one leg attached to an end of the elongate element and having its channel opening facing upward and extending perpendicularly to the length of the elongate element and adapted to slidingly receive the elongate element of an adjacent side member, the elongate element having an outward flange along the outer side of the lower edge and a series of closely spaced mounds arranged in a line along the element above the flange, the channel-shaped clamp having an inward knuckle on the leg remote from the element and spaced above the bottom of the channel opening and adapted to resiliently engage the element of the adjacent member selectively along the line of mounds, the inner side of the elongate element being formed with a downwardly facing shoulder spaced above its lower edge, the shoulder adapted to slidingly engage the top of the leg attached to the ele ment of the adjacent member, the elongate element having a series of upward yarn-receiving pins along the upper edge thereof, whereby the configuration of the channel-shaped clamp and the elongate element of adjacent members is adapted to permit interfit with a wobble-free juncture, the relative position of adjacent members being releaseably fixed by the resilience of the plastic knuckle and cooperating line of mounds.

2. An adjustable weaving frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upwardly extending pins incline outwardly from the center of the frame. 

1. An adjustable rectangular weaving frame comprising a plurality of identical side members molded of a resilient plastic, each comprising an elongate element and a channel-shaped clamp having one leg attached to an end of the elongate element and having its channel opening facing upward and extending perpendicularly to the length of the elongate element and adapted to slidingly receive the elongate element of an adjacent side member, the elongate element having an outward flange along the outer side of the lower edge and a series of closely spaced mounds arranged in a line along the element above the flange, the channel-shaped clamp having an inward knuckle on the leg remote from the element and spaced above the bottom of the channel opening and adapted to resiliently engage the element of the adjacent member selectively along the line of mounds, the inner side of the elongate element being formed with a downwardly facing shoulder spaced above its lower edge, the shoulder adapted to slidingly engage the top of the leg attached to the element of the adjacent member, the elongate element having a series of upward yarn-receiving pins along the upper edge thereof, whereby the configuration of the channel-shaped clamp and the elongate element of adjacent members is adapted to permit interfit with a wobble-free juncture, the relative position of adjacent members being releaseably fixed by the resilience of the plastic knuckle and cooperating line of mounds.
 2. An adjustable weaving frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upwardly extending pins incline outwardly from the center of the frame. 